If you or a loved one has been injured or killed because of the intentional, negligent or reckless behavior of an intoxicated person, there is protection for you under the law. Dram shop laws, on the books in 38 states including Illinois and Iowa, impose financial liability on bars, clubs, restaurants, or hotels that over serve patrons who then harm others. Most frequently this liability is used in cases where a drunk driver causes a motor vehicle accident. But, it can also apply to situations where a drunk patron gets into a bar fight or otherwise harms someone. When an intoxicated person starts a fight or causes an accident that person and the business that supplied the alcohol may be liable for damages caused.,
Dram shops are expected to exercise due care and not serve anyone who is obviously drunk. Driving under the influence of alcohol impairs a driver’s ability to respond appropriately make safe decisions on the roadway.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol-related crashes cause an injury every 2 minutes and a death every 31 minutes. These numbers are testament to a serious problem on the United States’ roadways. There are very few people whose lives have not been touched in some way by a drunk driving incident.
In some states, individual homeowners may be liable if an accident is caused by someone to whom they had supplied alcohol. This legal theory is called “social host liability.” Where applicable, the host of a party may be held liable if he or she continues to allow a guest to imbibe after the guest is intoxicated.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or death as the result of someone being served too much alcohol, call VanDerGinst Law at 1-866-843-7367 or click here for a FREE online case evaluation. The initial consultation is free of charge. If we agree to handle your injury case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if, and when, there is a money recovery for you. In many cases a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. So please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.
